STEVE REDGRAVE, ROWING

Won gold at five consecutive Olympics from 1984 to 2000. Battles for the status of best British Olympian with …

DALEY THOMPSON, DECATHLON

Gold medallist in 1980 and 84, the sport's greatest all-rounder, world record holder and star of three iconic 1980s computer games. Also played football for Mansfield and Stevenage Borough.

NICK FALDO, GOLF

Former World No1 and winner of six majors: three Opens and three Masters. Also one of only six players to have achieved a Ryder Cup hole in one.

ROGER BANNISTER, ATHLETICS

Drove himself to become the first man to run a mile in under four minutes after flopping in the 1952 Olympics. He did it two years later at Iffley Road, Oxford. His philosophy: "The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win."

HENRY COOPER, BOXING

IAN BOTHAM, CRICKET

Among the game's greatest all-rounders, Botham cemented that status with his Boy's Own display in the 1981 Ashes. Also famed for charity walks and eating three Shredded Wheat.

BOBBY MOORE, FOOTBALL

England's footballing hero and 1966 World Cup winning captain. Rated by Pelé as the best defender of his generation.

NIGEL MANSELL, MOTOR RACING

Won the Formula One world championship in 1992, then the IndyCar World Series a year later. When he left Williams for the second time, Frank Williams paid tribute: "Nigel is conceited, he's arrogant and he's brilliant. We'll miss him as a driver but not as a bloke."

VIRGINIA WADE, TENNIS

Wimbledon winner in 1977, and still the last Brit to win a grand slam singles title. Beat Betty Stove in three sets in the final and was serenaded by Centre Court: "For She's a Jolly Good Fellow".

BARRY SHEENE, MOTORCYCLING

Won the 500cc motorcycle world titles in 1976 and 1977, famous for heroic comebacks from crashes, for riding with metal plates and screws in his legs, and for his playboy image.